I know I'm not the first mother in the world to wonder how the cliches I used to laugh at suddenly became overwhelming truths.

They grow up so fast...

It was only yesterday...

In a blink of an eye...

And while I sat nursing my wounds the night before her first day of preschool, Buttercup smiled at me, grabbed a favorite story, and put on her backpack.

I don't remember my first day of school. But I will always remember hers.

"What are you going to do today, M'ija?"

"I'm going to find my friends, mama!"

If I had any doubts that she was ready, they were erased as she walked out the door, leading the way. It was my feet that were heavy with fear of the unknown. Hers? Were floating on clouds of new possibilities.

My baby is a preschooler.

They grow up so fast...

Yesterday she was a twinkle in our eyes.

It was only yesterday...

Today she's taking her first steps in the world outside of the one we share together.

In a blink of an eye...

Tomorrow I'll follow her out the door again, waiting to see where she leads me.